Lake District · climbing crag beta

Dow Crag climbing conditions.

Aspect-aware crag drying, rain and exposed-wind guidance for volcanic rock climbing.

Friday 28 August 2026

Poor.

Thunder risk increases the seriousness of exposed climbing.

25/100
Seven-day outlook

Dow Crag day by day.

The headline stays short. Expand a day to compare recent rain, drying windows, surface state and the wind on the climb with more exposed ground above.

PoorThunder risk increases the seriousness of exposed climbing.25/100
747 m · representative sector

Main crag

25/100

Thunder risk increases the seriousness of exposed climbing.

Rock surface
Wet or seeping
Recent rain
25.7 mm / 24 h
Climbing-window rain
1.2 mm
Face wind / gust
7 / 14 mph
Above-crag gust
25 mph
Best drying window
No clear drying window
Greasy-rock risk
High

Wind: The mapped face may be in the lee of the westerly wind, but open ground above the crag is more exposed, with gusts around 25 mph.

Wet or seeping sections are likely; choose another crag or wait for direct observations.

Did this match the crag?

A broad sector and surface report is enough; no route-level claim is needed.

PoorThunder risk increases the seriousness of exposed climbing.25/100
747 m · representative sector

Main crag

25/100

Thunder risk increases the seriousness of exposed climbing.

Rock surface
Wet or seeping
Recent rain
1.3 mm / 24 h
Climbing-window rain
2.4 mm
Face wind / gust
4 / 9 mph
Above-crag gust
10 mph
Best drying window
No clear drying window
Greasy-rock risk
High

Wind: The cliff face and open ground above have broadly similar wind exposure.

Wet or seeping sections are likely; choose another crag or wait for direct observations.

Did this match the crag?

A broad sector and surface report is enough; no route-level claim is needed.

PoorThunder risk increases the seriousness of exposed climbing.15/100
747 m · representative sector

Main crag

15/100

Thunder risk increases the seriousness of exposed climbing.

Rock surface
Wet or seeping
Recent rain
10.6 mm / 24 h
Climbing-window rain
24.1 mm
Face wind / gust
7 / 12 mph
Above-crag gust
18 mph
Best drying window
No clear drying window
Greasy-rock risk
High

Wind: The mapped face may be in the lee of the southwesterly wind, but open ground above the crag is more exposed, with gusts around 20 mph.

Wet or seeping sections are likely; choose another crag or wait for direct observations.

Did this match the crag?

A broad sector and surface report is enough; no route-level claim is needed.

PoorThunder risk increases the seriousness of exposed climbing.25/100
747 m · representative sector

Main crag

25/100

Thunder risk increases the seriousness of exposed climbing.

Rock surface
Wet or seeping
Recent rain
33.1 mm / 24 h
Climbing-window rain
1.5 mm
Face wind / gust
8 / 16 mph
Above-crag gust
28 mph
Best drying window
No clear drying window
Greasy-rock risk
High

Wind: The mapped face may be in the lee of the northwesterly wind, but open ground above the crag is more exposed, with gusts around 30 mph.

Wet or seeping sections are likely; choose another crag or wait for direct observations.

Did this match the crag?

A broad sector and surface report is enough; no route-level claim is needed.

PoorThunder risk increases the seriousness of exposed climbing.25/100
747 m · representative sector

Main crag

25/100

Thunder risk increases the seriousness of exposed climbing.

Rock surface
Wet or seeping
Recent rain
1.8 mm / 24 h
Climbing-window rain
8.5 mm
Face wind / gust
7 / 12 mph
Above-crag gust
20 mph
Best drying window
No clear drying window
Greasy-rock risk
High

Wind: The mapped face may be in the lee of the southwesterly wind, but open ground above the crag is more exposed, with gusts around 20 mph.

Wet or seeping sections are likely; choose another crag or wait for direct observations.

Did this match the crag?

A broad sector and surface report is enough; no route-level claim is needed.

PoorThunder risk increases the seriousness of exposed climbing.12/100
747 m · representative sector

Main crag

12/100

Thunder risk increases the seriousness of exposed climbing.

Rock surface
Wet or seeping
Recent rain
35.7 mm / 24 h
Climbing-window rain
29.5 mm
Face wind / gust
5 / 10 mph
Above-crag gust
17 mph
Best drying window
No clear drying window
Greasy-rock risk
High

Wind: The mapped face may be in the lee of the southwesterly wind, but open ground above the crag is more exposed, with gusts around 15 mph.

Wet or seeping sections are likely; choose another crag or wait for direct observations.

Did this match the crag?

A broad sector and surface report is enough; no route-level claim is needed.

PoorRecent rain leaves some drying uncertainty.30/100
747 m · representative sector

Main crag

30/100

Recent rain leaves some drying uncertainty.

Rock surface
Wet or seeping
Recent rain
35.1 mm / 24 h
Climbing-window rain
0.0 mm
Face wind / gust
3 / 6 mph
Above-crag gust
11 mph
Best drying window
8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Greasy-rock risk
High

Wind: Wind is somewhat stronger on open ground above the crag, where gusts reach about 10 mph.

Wet or seeping sections are likely; choose another crag or wait for direct observations.

Did this match the crag?

A broad sector and surface report is enough; no route-level claim is needed.

Use it as a starting signal

Volcanic rock still needs an on-arrival check.

The forecast combines recent and expected rain with broad drying, humidity, dew and wind signals. The climb and open ground above the crag are treated separately where the mapped face gives useful shelter context.

Reviewed OSM cliff ways and broad face aspects, not route boundaries, exact belay positions or a climbing topo. Forecast-grid weather and representative sector geometry only. Check live access information and touch-test the rock before climbing.

Access: Check current landowner and BMC access information, seasonal restrictions and local notices before travelling.